Iranian Zereshk Polow

There are a couple of different ways to make Zereshk Polow. Some folks layer the rice with zereshk and steam them together while others simply make a chelow and add the zereshk on top. Personally, I am a fan of the first method as I think that the polow as a whole tastes better. With this said the zereshk changes color in the steaming process and goes from a gorgeous bright ruby red color to a dull brownish color. So at some point I came up with an idea where I hold on to a little bit of the zereshk and sprinkle it on top of the rice when it’s time to serve it.

Ingredients

2 cups rice

1 cup zereshk

1 tbsp sugar

4 tbsp Saffron water

2 tbsp butter*

Advieh

canola oil

salt

First cook rice per Cooking Rice for Polow post. In the mean time prep the zereshk.

Pick over the zereshk and remove any steams or stones you may find. Then soak in water for about 5-10 minutes. I find the best way to do this is by placing the zereshk in a colander and submerging it in a bowl full of water. Rinse zereshk after soaking.

In a skillet melt 1 tablespoon of butter then add zereshk. Add sugar and give it a nice stir so that the zereshk is coated with butter and sugar. You will see that it will start to plump up! Add 2 tablespoon saffron water and let the zereshk absorb the liquid for about one minute. Turn off heat.

Begin layering rice. Prep tahdig in any method you prefer. This time I used canola oil, water and 1 tablespoon saffron water.

Place one layer of rice.

Sprinkle about 1/4 tsp of advieh. Top with some of the zereshk.

Repeat layers until the last layer is rice reserving about 1/4 of a cup of zereshk for later.

Create 4-5 holes in the rice with the back of your spatula.

Cover and cook on high for 10 minutes.

Melt 1 tbsp of butter and mix with 1 tablespoon of Saffron water and 1 tablespoon of water. Pour all over rice.

Place a kitchen towel over the lid of your pot and steam rice on low for one hour.

Serve rice in a platter and top with the reserved zereshk.

Generally, Zereshk Polow is served with chicken. You can either add some cooked chicken as you layer the rice or simply serve it on the side. I think that Mitra’s Sunshine Chicken goes really well with this rice. Alternative, I will be posting another chicken recipe on Wednesday.